Carl Froch and George Groves in war of words as they agree May 31 super-middleweight world-title rematch

British super-middleweight rivals Carl Froch and George Groves have agreed to meet again in another blockbuster showdown which is destined to become one of the biggest fights in domestic boxing history.

Froch was reluctant to face Groves again but the IBF stepped in to order a rematch after reviewing Froch’s controversial ninth-round stoppage at the Manchester Arena in November.

Froch’s IBF and WBA titles will again be at stake with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn insisting: ‘The unanswered questions from the first fight may now be answered.’

The venue for what is destined to be another bitter showdown between two men who clearly don’t like each other, is tipped to be at a major English football stadium, with Hearn mentioning the likes of Old Trafford, Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, Twickenham or Arsenal’s Emirates stadium.

Underdog Groves floored Froch in the first round of their first encounter and was ahead on the scorecards, having dominated the fight, when referee Howard Foster intervened as the resurgent Froch fired a barrage of shots.

Since the first fight Groves has done a lot of whinging and moaning

Although the tide appeared to have turned against Groves, Foster’s decision to step in as the 25-year-old came under pressure was widely condemned for being too early.

Hearn stated at the end of last month negotiations were proving ‘frustrating’, even once the IBF had stepped in to order they clash again.

Froch sought a Las Vegas showdown with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr but public opinion demanded he faced Groves once more.

‘Since the first fight he [Groves] has done a lot of whinging and moaning. He’s been down a lot of avenues to make things happen in his favour and made himself mandatory challenger,’ Froch said.

‘The British public is behind this, it’s the only fight I could reasonably take and the biggest one out there for me, the one all the people want to see.

Groves put Froch down in the first round of their first fight (Picture: AP)

‘I’ll happily fight him, do the business on him and shut him up once and for all and any question marks about the first fight will be put to bed. I can’t wait to silence Georgey Boy.’

I hope Carl starts in camp now and can find something to hold on. But whatever he does, don’t watch the first fight

‘It’s not just the fans on my side who know [the first fight] should have gone on. I systematically beat him from rounds one-to-nine and he knows that. There’s nothing from the first fight he can take as a positive.

‘I hope if he starts in camp now he can find something to hold on. But whatever don’t watch the first fight. It’s going to be easy. He has zero chance of winning.’